Scotland was ahead of Scotland thanks to Hamish Watson's attempt
Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v Australia Scotland (7) 15 Try: Watson, Ashman Con Russell Pen: Russell Australia (3)13 Try: LeotaCon: O'Connor Pens O'Connor 2
Scotland won a taut contest and beat Australia for their third consecutive win. They also continue their winning streak in the Autumn Nations Series.
Hamish Watson's score was well-worked and gave Gregor Townsend an interval lead. However, Dave Rennie's tourists - who are on a five-game winning streak – led after Rob Leota’s incisive burst.
With a spectacular finish, Debutant Ewan Ashleyman restored the Scots' advantage. James O'Connor kicked Australia back into the lead, but Finn Russell scored the decisive penalty.
This makes it two consecutive wins for Scotland, following last week's 60-14 win over Tonga. It also sets them up to face world champions South Africa next Saturday.
This one was not only high on expectations, but also in a completely different realm.
Although we didn't get the expected number of tries, we did get a thrilling thriller. A slow burner was a game that began slowly and ended with Murrayfield in raptures at the announcement of yet another great moment for the team.
It had a slow start at first, but these are long gone. It was almost set on fire by a Darcy Graham break, a Stuart Hogg scamper, or an audacious Russell offload, but it didn't stick.
Although the goal was to be fast and furious, it wasn't possible due to a lack of accuracy. Or, enough. But the drama ended in the end. It was a great ending.
Australia could have - and should-- taken an early lead, but O'Connor was adamant about his penalty. It was a difficult moment for a player who tried desperately to convince his coach that he should give him the 10 jersey over Quade Cooper.
George Turner also had one. After just 11 minutes, the hooker was forced to retire from the field due to injury. Ashman made his debut.
His first job was a scrum. He was then penalized for a Wallaby scrum penalty. You are now faced with the harsh realities of professional rugby. To his credit, Ashman continued to play brilliantly. He was having a great time, even before his spectacular try.
Scotland emerged victorious after what proved a ferociously-contested match
After 15 minutes, Hogg took up the ground on the left and left behind a Wallaby. This was the end of the play that captured the chaos of the first half. Ali Price ran in support, then Duhan van der Merwe.
The Scots had a 5m line out. It was promising. They made a hash of the spread and it was very promising. The Wallabies attacked the defence and turned it into an attack. Hogg was busy trying to find a loose ball at the other end just moments after launching an attack on one side.
Scrum Australia. It was promising, even if it meant that Hamish Watson, who is playing magnificently again, but it is not surprising, took the initiative to turn it over under his own posts. It was a huge moment, and he soon had another.
Scotland could have easily taken three points in the last quarter-hour, but they chose to touch. Bravo! Jamie Ritchie was the first to take the ball. Grant Gilchrist followed with a second wave, and Watson won the game.
Romain Poite, who was refereeing his final whistle-blowing career, checked for obstruction, but the score remained. Russell converted to make it 7-1.
Scots are able to keep their composure and show talent.
Reborn Australia were looking for their sixth consecutive win under Rennie. We saw the first stirrings when Jordan Petaia moved over in the corner. Play was called back and Michael Hooper rolled over under the posts. It was also called back.
Allan Alaalatoa, who was preparing for the ruck, entered the ring in a very dangerous manner, not quite catching Matt Fagerson but getting too close for Poite's good. Hooper's attempt was canceled and the loose-head was tainted. The Scots had a lucky escape.
O'Connor reduced the gap just before the break, and the visitors finally had a chance to stick in the second half.
Izaia Perese, a new cap, found a soft shoulder to begin it all before Leota powered through Pierre Schoeman & Sam Skinner to score. O'Connor made it 10-7. We had a game. A belter.
Scotland's determination was remarkable. They drove hard at Wallabies, who were brutally strong. They drove on and on. Russell created a beauty 50-22 and Scotland was back in Aussie territory.
These minutes were reminiscent of the Paris spring final, when Scotland won a Six Nations victory at the last moment. Although it was much earlier, the belief was the exact same.
Van der Merwe may have believed he was back, but Nic White kept him out. Penalty followed penalty. Russell gave Grant Gilchrist a stunning offload, but the visitors held on - and the hosts remained calm.
Ewan Ashman, Hooker, was first introduced and concluded his performance with a breathtaking score
They attacked the short side from the left corner with another scrum. Schoeman found Ashman, a loose-head hooker who took Perese’s tackle and touched down beautifully. This was not the debut of a replacement hooker, but the end of a world-class wingsman.
Russell missed the conversion narrowly. O'Connor, however, gave O'Connor a penalty to bring the Wallabies back in the lead with 15 minutes remaining. It was a point.
The pendulum swung again. The Wallaby scrum was hit with a fourth penalty. Hooper gave Poite the most sarcastic look he had ever seen. Russell reacted nervelessly.
From Australia to Scotland by two to Australia by two and then to Australia by one, with Scotland now by two.
It was a glorious ending for Townsend's side. They handled it with the calm of a team with more talent and intelligence than any other Scotland team in 20 years.
In 2021, Australia, France, and England were all defeated. Roll on South Africa next Week, and the Six Nations in 2022. Keep going.
"There was a fire around us"-reaction
Gregor Townsend, Scotland's head coach, said to Amazon Prime: "In coaching box we were a bit emotionally at the end. Although it wasn't the most exciting of games, the team showed great resolve and the bench had a tremendous impact.
"At half-time, we knew that we hadn't played our best rugby. But, there was a fire around us in the second half which was great. And there was an edge on our set-piece.
Amazon Prime's Scotland captain Stuart Hogg said that it was "brilliant, I loved the experience." It was amazing to have a Murrayfield full!
"I told the boys that half of the job is done. Two games in, two wins. Next week will be about supporting it. It's exciting to know that we can improve both in set-piece play and open play.
Match stats
Scotland: Hogg, Graham, Harris, Johnson, Van der Merwe, Russell, Price, Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Skinner, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Ashman, Bhatti, Kebble, Hodgson, Bayliss, Horne, Hastings, Steyn.
Australia: Kellaway, Wright, Ikitau, Paisami, Petaia, O'Connor, White, Slipper, Fainga'a, Alaalatoa, Arnold, Rodda, Leota, Hooper, Valetini.
McInerney and Bell, Tupou, Skelton and Samu are available as replacements.
Referee: Romain Poite
